How to Create a Snack Station
Do you feel like you are constantly making food? How many times a day do you hear? I’m hungry!!! I need a snack! Well I am here to help you solve this problem. The solution is to create a snack station. A snack station is a place in your kitchen where your kids can get their own snacks anytime they feel hungry. It encourages children to be independent and gives you more free time. What parent doesn’t want more time?
Kids do not need permission to access snacks from the snack station and can take them when they are hungry. Your home should have 2 snack areas.
A space in the fridge (that your child can reach) which holds refrigerated snacks such as fruits, veggies, dairy, meats.
A space in your cupboard (that your child can reach) which holds snacks such as crackers, cookies, chips etc.
You prep these snacks on the weekend for the week and place them in small containers that your child can open. What you provide is completely up to your child’s likes and dietary needs. The important thing is that you are only prepping the snack cupboard once a week. No more making snacks countless times a day. Spend a small chunk of time on the weekend prepping the snacks for the week. Then enjoy the extra time during the week.
This system works great for any age of child. It is especially convenient for parents of school aged children. Kids can choose their own snacks to go into their lunches. No more will you hear about how they didn’t eat something in their lunch because they didn’t like it. After school they can come home and choose a snack to enjoy.
Tip: Write the number of snacks they are allowed to take, for lunches, directly on each bin. Base the amount they can take from each bin around their age and how much they usually eat.
Example:
Chips, cookies, fruit roll ups etc. - 1 snack
Fruit, veggies, etc. - 2 snacks
Cheese, meats, yogurts - 1 snack
Goldfish, pretzels etc. - 1 snack.
Note: You are still providing a main lunch for them. They are in charge of collecting the snacks and putting it into their lunch bag. The snacks are all pre portioned into containers or pre-purchased in snack size quantities.
This snack station will save you so much time each week and allow you to spend more quality time with your family.
Photo by: Organizing Spaces by Kim you an check her out at https://www.organizingspacesbykim.com
Melanie McConnell is a professional organizer and the owner of Mello Spaces. She helps busy professionals and parents, in the Lower Mainland, get organized. Check out her website www.mellospaces.com and follow her on Instagram: @mellospaces